# Lab 03: navigation: astrolabe

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial\_navigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_navigation)

Main points:

An astrolabe is a device for measuring altitude of objects, or the angles of stars or planets for navigation. You can make your own using a protractor, a straw, some tape, dental floss and a rock or weight (see below):

[http://www.hmdt.org.uk/STEM\_lesson\_plans/2%20Physics/2%20Hypatia/3%20Make%20an%20Astrolabe%20Worksheet.pdf](http://www.hmdt.org.uk/STEM_lesson_plans/2%20Physics/2%20Hypatia/3%20Make%20an%20Astrolabe%20Worksheet.pdf)

[https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/make-your-own-astrolabe.htm](https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/make-your-own-astrolabe.htm)

Goal: construct your own astrolabe

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Questions</span>:

1. why is it important to have the string go through the center hole and hang freely?
2. how accurate is your protractor in measuring degrees?
3. would your astrolabe be more accurate if the straw were replaced by a telescope? How?

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